Extracellular Non-Coding RNAs in Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the world’s leading cause of death despite the best available healthcare and therapy. Emerging as a key mediator of intercellular and inter-organ communication in CVD pathogenesis, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous group of membrane-enclosed nano-sized vesicles released by virtually all cells, of which their RNA cargo, especially non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), has been increasingly recognized as a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target. Recent evidence shows that ncRNAs, such as small ncRNAs, circular RNAs, and long ncRNAs, can be selectively sorted into EVs or other non-vesicular carriers and modulate various biological processes in recipient cells. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the literature regarding the origin, extracellular carrier, and functional mechanisms of extracellular ncRNAs with a focus on small ncRNAs, circular RNAs, and long ncRNAs. The pathophysiological roles of extracellular ncRNAs in various CVDs, including atherosclerosis, ischemic heart diseases, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure, are extensively discussed. We also provide an update on recent developments and challenges in using extracellular ncRNAs as biomarkers or therapeutical targets in these CVDs.

Basic Pathogenic Mechanisms and Epigenetic Players Promoted by Extracellular Vesicles in Vascular Damage

“…This finding was confirmed via genetic knockout of Neat1 that impaired cardiac function during MI [ 87 ]. Although currently studies aim at the analysis of EVs from human samples in AF, HF and MI repair, large studies need to be performed to determine their utility in the clinical routine [ 88 ]. In addition to all the findings on basic mechanisms involving EVs, various clinical studies have been initiated to date.…”

Extracellular Vesicles in Atherosclerosis: State of the Art

“…coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are encapsulated in EVs, are involved in AS and VC [76,77]. ncRNAs shuttled via EVs may control post-hypoxia tissue survival and remodeling by regulating cell injury and inflammatory responses in MI and stroke [78,79].…”

Potential roles of lncRNA MALAT1-miRNA interactions in ocular diseases

“…The macula is a small central region of the retina which is responsible for fine and color vision, but its function affected by AMD. This disease involves the progressive destruction of photoreceptors and the underlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), resulting in vision loss (Sharma and Singh 2023).…”

“…LncRNAs, which are longer than 200 nucleotides, have been shown to play a role in ocular disorders, including cataracts, glaucoma, corneal neovascularization (CN), pterygium, diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinal degeneration, and ocular tumors (Sharma and Singh 2023;Cao et al 2023). Metastasisassociated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), was first identified in non-small cell lung cancer (He et al 2018).…”